Chicago Police Department Introduces New Use Of Force Policy

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the policy ensures using a more cautious, practical approach when implementing deadly force.

The Chicago Police Department announced changes to their policing practices that will directly impact using excessive force, CBS Chicago reports.

Two important additions were included in the revamped policy; a fleeing suspect must present an “immediate threat” for officers to use deadly force, and if an officer abuses the restriction, fellow officers are expected to report the violation and are held accountable to intervene.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the policy ensures using a more cautious, practical approach for officers in deadly force training. The CPD examined policies from several major police departments including Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C.

“The goal is to make everybody accountable in the Police Department, from me on down to the last probationary police officer. That’s the goal,” Johnson said to reporters on Friday. He said the goal was to offer a more transparent relationship between the CPD and members of the community.

“We just want to make sure that our officers are clear on when and how to use use of force, and be confident in the decisions that they make,” Johnson said.

An ongoing DOJ probe incited by the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald forced the department to re-examine its current practices.

A 45-day public comment period will follow before the CPD implements the policy in January.

NewsOne, what do you think? As the calls for de-escalation training continue to mount in the wake of several high-profile police shootings, will the policy make a difference on the streets of Chicago?